Sibongile Marokana holding her own in a male-dominated world of football

Previously known as Bokone NW FC before Marokana assumed full ownership last year and changed the name to Lerumo Lions FC, the team is based in Bethanie, in the North West Province where Marokana’s family hails from.

The 35-year-old is holding her own in a male-dominated industry and is planning for more success.

"The noise will always be there. The egos will always be there, the undermining will always be there. I think I also just find myself in male dominated environments. I mean even with my business, security, it's very much the same,” Marokana said.

“So with me, I'm passion-driven and to be quite honest I've come to understand that not all men that even own teams understand football and that is the sad part of it. It's a matter of 'I'm a male and I can do it'.

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Honestly, it's not difficult to be here, it's more about gender and a dominance issue. So, for me, I just ignore and just do what I want to do and what I need to do and follow my passion, follow my plans as well.

“The respectful football is gone as I'm saying, it's more an ego thing, a status thing. People don't even respect the game anymore and I think that why they don't even understand the game."

After near misses in the last two seasons where they finished second and failed to make the playoffs to begin the journey to top flight football, Marokana is confident that they will soon be campaigning in the DStv Premiership.

"Yes, it has been close for the past two seasons actually we've been finishing at position two in our stream and I really believe now we are ready. I really believe now I understand the system, the regulations, the rules you know, much better,” she added.

“I've found my feet. Obviously when you start any new, I don't wanna say project but any new venture you tend to kind of be unstable. So, as you grow into that area you start becoming more, you start to know a bit more, you start to have the experience and I think I am at that point right now, so I do believe it will be very competitive this season.

“I do believe we will be doing our best and honestly, I am looking at promotion. I want this promotion so my boys are going to be working very hard. This season needs to be our season, we are ready, we are on the right path."